Collective Action & Property Rights News

Friday, April 30, 2010

EMPLOYMENT: DFID Scheme Strategic Advisor

The Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) and Department for International Development (DFID) wish to appoint a Strategic Advisor who will lead on securing and enhancing the impact on policy and practice of the research funded under the joint ESRC/DFID Research Scheme on International Development. This is a key leadership role which will underpin broader ESRC and DFID strategies to maximise the impact of the research that they fund. A proven networker, with a strong research background in International Development and an excellent track record in getting research into policy and practice, the Strategic Advisor will be expected to work closely with a range of national and international stakeholders with shared interests in the outputs of the scheme. [more information]

PUBLICATION: Land grabbing in Kenya and Mozambique (FIAN International)

FIAN International presents a report on two research missions and a human rights analysis of land grabbing.

The report introduces a human rights framework to analyze land grabbing, based on the rights to adequate food, to adequate housing, to an adequate standard of living including access to resources, the right to work and the rights to information and political participation. It recalls the rights of indigenous peoples, the right to self-determination and the right not to be deprived of one’s means of subsistence. This framework is applied to two cases on land grabbing in the Tana River delta (Kenya), to the Yala Swamp case (Kenya) and to the Massingir case (Mozambique).

PUBLICATION: Small Scale, Large Impacts (RRI)

A recent Rights and Resources Initiative publication on “Transforming Central and West African Forest Industry and Trade to Improve Sustainable Development, Growth and Governance”.

This report presents a body of new evidence on the opportunities for a more diverse and equitable forest economy which balances conservation, timber and wood-based production and industry, non-timber production, harvesting and trade and new ecotourism or ecological service enterprise. A renewed forest economy must reconcile the demands for national economic growth and the needs of forest communities and marginalized to remain relevant. This opportunity is linked to a tenure transition that supports strong local governance and forest resource tenure and rights, balancing multiple interests and stakeholders, through legal pluralism and nested, or multi-layered, tenure regimes.

PUBLICATION: Land and Communication

Issue 537 of The Drum Beat, the online magazine of the Communication Initiative Network, addresses the topic of “Land and Communication”. The issue features a selection of projects and resources on land ownership and land access rights, gender issues regarding access to land and land ownership, the use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) in land use, and participatory information access and decisionmaking in natural resource management (NRM). [read more]

IDRC’s Agriculture and Food Security (AFS) program supports research to increase production and incomes from small-scale farming, while contributing food to rural and urban consumers. The Canadian International Food Security Research Fund, a collaborative program of the International Development Research Centre and the Canadian International Development Agency, is an integral component of the AFS program. AFS finances applied research initiatives that seek to solve immediate and concrete food security challenges on the ground in the developing world.

Based in Ottawa, Canada and reporting to the Program Manager, the Senior Program Officer will contribute to programme development to develop projects within the priority areas by reviewing, developing, monitoring, managing and evaluating research projects; and liaising and maintaining productive working relationships with grantees, researchers and government institutions. [more information]

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

CALL FOR PAPERS: Best Practices in Urban and Peri-Urban Agriculture Development

The Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development (JAFSCD) announces its call for briefs and articles related to Best Practices in Urban and Peri-Urban Agriculture Developmentto be included in JAFSCD Vol. 1, Issue 2. JAFSCD welcomes research or policy briefs, and case studies (up to 2,500 words) and full articles (up to 8,500 words) on best community-development practices related to:

EVENT: Innovative Knowledge Share Fair at CIAT, Colombia

An innovative Knowledge Share Fair in the field of agricultural research and development and food security for Latin America and the Caribbean will be held at the headquarters of the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) in Palmira from May 25 to 27, 2010. Over 90 proposals have been received from experts who wish to share their experiences at this Fair, building on the successful outcome of the first Knowledge Fair held in Rome in 2009. About 40 of these proposals, from more than 10 countries, will be shared in an interactive and innovative format. The specific themes will include good knowledge sharing practices with project teams, partners, communities, networks, and users, as well as good practices in making research processes and outputs accessible, available, and applicable. Themes will be addressed in sessions related to websites, local knowledge, and participative research and learning networks, among others. [more information]

EMPLOYMENT: BMGF Program Officer, Global Development

The Program Officer will develop and manage a research and analysis program to support Agricultural Development Program grantmaking, strategy development, donor coordination, communications and advocacy. S/he will be responsible for managing relationships with internal and external research collaborators and bringing key analysis to bear on the foundation’s agricultural granting program decisions. S/he will serve as a point person for responding to quick turnaround requests for analysis from Foundation Leadership. S/he will also contribute to the development of strategic priorities and will manage a portfolio of research grants focused on understanding past successes and failures in order to inform today’s investments and policies.

Friday, April 23, 2010

FELLOWSHIP: Research and Writing Fellowship in Environment and Development Economics (SANDEE)

The South Asian Network for Development and Environmental Economics (SANDEE) announces the Sir Partha Dasgupta Fellowship in Environment and Development Economics for 2010. Sir Partha Dasgupta is one of the founders of SANDEE, a research network hosted by ICIMOD in Kathmandu, Nepal. SANDEE's mandate is to support research and training in environment and development economics in Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Maldives, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

In honor of Prof. Dasgupta's contribution to Environment and Development Economics in South Asia, SANDEE will offer an annual Research and Writing Fellowship. The objective of the Fellowship is to provide researchers with space and time to think and write about issues Sir Partha has worked on in environment and development economics, including game theory, welfare economics, poverty, and nutrition. [more information]

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

The 2nd Global Conference on Environmental Governance and Democracy will take place at Yale University, New Haven, USA from 17-19 September 2010 in the margins of the United Nations Millennium Development Goal Summit, 20-22 September, New York. Focusing on the theme of Strengthening Institutions to Address Climate Change and Advance a Green Economy, the event will take stock of and examine the role of institutional structures and decision-making procedures in fostering (or impeding) low carbon and climate resilient development. Papers and discussions will cover various levels of governance (i.e. global, regional, transnational, national, sub-national, and local) as well as specialized governance topics, including governance of climate change science, financing and forestry. Anticipated outcomes of the conference include a research agenda and enhanced knowledge sharing to better understand the openness, transparency, accountability and effectiveness of institutions engaged in action to address climate change. [more information]

The International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) and the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) are seeking applications for the positions of Agricultural Policy Economist and Agricultural Research Economist. The positions will be based at CIAT headquarters in Cali, Colombia. It is expected that the economists will spend up to 2 months per year at IFPRI headquarters in Washington D.C.

Capitalizing Knowledge Connecting Communities (CK2C) strives to build knowledge of successful natural resource management (NRM) initiatives by capturing lessons learned at the community level. The project identifies successful activities and analyzes the reasons underpinning these successes through a process termed stocktaking. Stocktaking was developed to complement conventional program evaluations by purposefully focusing on experiential knowledge. Stocktaking starts with impacts and then works backwards to a) identify the barriers that were overcome to achieve those impacts, and b) identify the specific actions taken to break down the barriers.

The goal of this stocktaking was to identify enabling conditions that engendered successful forest management in different locations in order to inform a process that would establish a set of principles for sound forest management. The stocktaking reviewed earlier work and examined three sites where different ecological, economic, and socio-cultural conditions prevail and distinct systems of forest governance are in place. The intention was to isolate the factors that have led to success across a broad array of ecological and socio-cultural conditions. This process and the discussions following the study also provided visibility that has attracted the attention of government, donors, and other parties that are in a position to influence forest management practices in Indonesia.

You can read the whole report and join in an ongoing discussion about it here.

EMPLOYMENT: IFPRI Postdoctoral Special Assistant to the Director General

The International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) seeks a qualified candidate to fill the position of Postdoctoral Special Assistant to the Director General for a two-year, fixed-term, renewable appointment. Under the direct supervision of the Director General and in close collaboration with division directors, administrative managers, communications managers, and other staff as appropriate, the Special Assistant will assist the Director General by conducting analyses and syntheses on food, agriculture and nutrition policy issues. This position based at IFPRI headquarters in Washington, DC. [more information]

PUBLICATION: Global Research Report: Africa

A new report examines the nature and extent of research in Africa:

This report provides an introduction to patterns of research activity in Africa. Its overall finding is that, whilst the volume of research activity on the continent as a whole remains small, individual countries are making notable and effective contributions of a high standard.

The challenges that Africa faces are enormous and indigenous research could help provide both effective and focused responses. This research finds little correlation between the amount and range of resources a country has at its disposal and the standard and volume of its research contributions. For example Malawi, with one-tenth the annual research output of Nigeria, produces research of a quality that exceeds the world average benchmark while Nigeria hovers around half that impact level.

The Program of African Studies and Northwestern University Press invite applications for a Post-Doctoral Fellowship supported generously by the Mellon Foundation. Applications are invited from Africa-based scholars who have completed their PhDs in African universities within the past five years. The successful applicant will be expected to revise his/her dissertation for publication by the Northwestern University Press subject to positive evaluations through external peer-review, teach one course in his/her field of study, and participate in the intellectual life of the Program of African Studies and Northwestern University. Discipline and field are open, and scholars working in the broad area of Islam in sub-Saharan Africa are especially encouraged to apply. The tenure of the fellowship starts from January 2011 and ends September 2011. [more information]

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

EMPLOYMENT: Oxfam Country Director, Sri Lanka

Oxfams currently seeks a dynamic Country Director to manage its program in Sri Lanka. The Country Director provides strategic leadership of the country program, ensuring high quality and impact in working with communities and partners. This position has responsibility to represent the organisation at the country level, manage complex change and ensure that gender equality is promoted and integrated at the organisational and program levels. This is a senior manager position in Oxfam’s South Asia regional team, and will be expected to travel domestically and internationally. [more information]

The Sustainable Agriculture Division of the Rainforest Alliance, based in San José, Costa Rica, is the international secretariat of the Sustainable Agriculture Network (SAN), a coalition of independent conservation and rural development groups that promote responsible farming practices. The Director will guide the SAN in its role as the leading global voice for Sustainable Agriculture. The SAN is about to embark on an exciting global expansion plan, which will be led by the Director. As the head of the international secretariat of the SAN, s/he will ensure that the Sustainable Agriculture Standard represents the leading edge of thinking on sustainable agriculture, expand and strengthen stakeholder involvement in the standards setting process, and guide standards and certification systems development to ensure the highest level of credibility. S/he will work in close collaboration with the SAN members to strengthen the SAN. The Director will supervise a team of four. [more information]

The Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E)/Gender Specialist will guide the technical direction of the M&E approach and strategy; arrange baseline, midterm and end-of-project evaluations and other studies and research activities; ensure compliance with USAID Office of Food for Peace implementation and reporting guidelines as well as ACDI/VOCA’s corporate M&E systems; develop a gender integration plan with specific and practical recommendations on how to integrate gender in the organizational structure, program design and operations. [more information]

The European Secretariat of ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability, based in Freiburg, Germany, seeks to fill the position of Project Officer in the field of Adaptation and Sustainable Water Management. Adaptation to the impact of climate change is an issue of cross-cutting nature, addressed by ICLEI through a range of activities under different themes and by different units, including Climate & Air and Sustainability Management. The holder of this position will mainly – but not exclusively – work with adaptation issues. The position will also extend into issues of sustainable local water management. [more information]

EMPLOYMENT: IWMI Regional Director for Africa

The International Water Management Institute (IWMI), one of the 15 centers of the Consultative Group for International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) seeks a dynamic individual to lead its research operations in Africa. The Africa Director will demonstrate a strong strategic approach and set an ambitious agenda to achieve IWMI’s goals in the region. In addition, the Director will be IWMI’s ambassador in Africa and provide leadership for the regional offices. The position can be based in any one of IWMI’s Africa offices in Pretoria, Addis Ababa, or Accra (though preferably, Accra) and reports direct to the Director General. [more information]

Under the overall direction of the Director, FOM, and the direct supervision and guidance of the head of the forest management team, with latitude of personal initiative, the incumbent will provide technical support to and be responsible for the promotion and development of activities related to national forest monitoring and assessment (NFMA) and integrated land-use assessment (ILUA). [more information]

Wednesday, April 07, 2010

The Role of Collective Action and Property Rights in Climate Change Strategies – New CAPRi Policy Brief

CAPRi Policy Brief Number 7, The Role of Collective Action and Property Rights in Climate Change Strategies, is now available online. The brief provides an overview of climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies, highlighting the institutional arrangements for each component, to ensure that poor people in developing countries are not excluded. Download the 4-page brief here.

In February Ruth Meinzen-Dick gave a presentation at an event at the FAO headquarters in Rome on “Institutions and Climate Change”. Her presentation, which drew on the ideas articulated in the new policy brief, is included below. (Click here if you cannot view the embedded version.)

Tuesday, April 06, 2010

EMPLOYMENT: IFPRI Post-Doctoral Fellow to work on the Democratic Republic of Congo – Kinshasa Based

The International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) seeks a qualified candidate to serve as a Post-Doctoral Fellow to work on the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) for a two-year, fixed-term, renewable appointment. The program has a focus on strategy and policy issues in relation to agriculture, the food system, rural development, and poverty reduction. The position reports to the director of the Development Strategy and Governance Division and is based in Kinshasa, DRC. [more information]

Monday, April 05, 2010

EMPLOYMENT/SCHOLARSHIP: Vacancies for Doctoral Students and Post Doctoral Positions at IAMO

The Department “Agricultural Markets, Marketing and World Agricultural Trade" of the Leibniz Institute of Agricultural Development in Central and Eastern Europe (IAMO) is seeking candidates for Doctoral Student Positions and Post-Doctoral Positions. The Department analyses the markets in Central and Eastern Europe and other transforming regions such as Central Asia, Turkey and China as well as the integration of those regions in world agricultural trade. The main task of the vacant positions is to conduct research on topics related to the Department’s work, especially in one of the following areas:

EMPLOYMENT: Socio-Economist, University of Hohenheim

The section Rural Development Theory and Policy of the Institute of Agricultural Economics and Social Sciences in the Tropics and Subtropics (Prof. Dr. M. Zeller) offer a position available immediately or later as doctoral researcher (Wissenschaftlicher Mitarbeiter, TV-L E13/2).

The doctoral researcher is expected to contribute to the teaching and research activities of the professorship, and to undertake independent scholarly research on a mutually agreed topic as part of the doctoral program at the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences. The topic chosen could also be linked with on-going research projects of the Institute for which secondary data are available.

Candidates should have an excellent first degree (at the Master’s Level) in agricultural economics, development economics, social or political sciences, or a closely related field. In addition, skills in qualitative and/or quantitative research methods and experience working in developing countries or with national and international development organizations are particularly welcome. Fluency in English is expected. Proficiency in other languages (especially German, French or Spanish), and teaching experience, are welcome additional qualifications. The position is funded by the State Baden-Württemberg. The position is initially offered for a period of one year, but can be extended for up to three years.

The University of Hohenheim strongly encourages qualified women to apply. Applications including a CV, the M.Sc. and B.Sc. transcript with detailed listing of courses and grades, the Master thesis or a scientific paper, together with the cover letter should be sent by email by April 20, 2010 to Prof. Dr. Manfred Zeller. (email: katharina.mayer@uni-hohenheim.de).

PUBLICATION: Wastewater Irrigation and Health (IDRC)

IDRC has published a new book, Wastewater Irrigation and Health: Assessing and Mitigating Risk in Low-Income Countries.

In most developing countries wastewater treatment systems have very low coverage or function poorly, resulting in large-scale water pollution and the use of poor-quality water for crop irrigation, especially in the vicinity of urban centres. This can pose significant risks to public health, particularly where crops are eaten raw.

Wastewater Irrigation and Health approaches this serious problem from a practical and realistic perspective, addressing the issues of health risk assessment and reduction in developing country settings. The book therefore complements other books on the topic of wastewater which focus on high-end treatment options and the use of treated wastewater.

This book moves the debate forward by covering also the common reality of untreated wastewater, greywater and excreta use. It presents the state-of-the-art on quantitative risk assessment and low-cost options for health risk reduction, from treatment to on-farm and off-farm measures, in support of the multiple barrier approach of the 2006 guidelines for safe wastewater irrigation published by the World Health Organization. The 38 authors and co-authors are international key experts in the field of wastewater irrigation representing a mix of agronomists, engineers, social scientists and public health experts from Africa, Asia, Europe, North America and Australia. The chapters highlight experiences across the developing world with reference to various case studies from sub-Saharan Africa, Asia, Mexico and the Middle East. The book also addresses options for resource recovery and wastewater governance, thus clearly establishes a connection between agriculture, health and sanitation, which is often the missing link in the current discussion on ‘making wastewater an asset’.

TRAINING: Coady International Institute Diploma in Development Leadership

The Coady International Institute is currently accepting applications for the Coady 2010 Diploma in Development Leadership. The Diploma program illustrates highly successful development practice that is based on practical responses to local opportunities and problems. It emphasizes the need for a responsible social vision, just, equitable and effective institutions to achieve that vision, and the active participation of disadvantaged people in their own development.

The program runs from August 3 to December 12, 2010. Candidates are encouraged to apply as early as possible so they will have time to secure a visa and make travel arrangements. Application materials and more information about the Diploma Program and other Coady educational programs, as well as funding opportunities, are available on the Coady website.

The deadline for abstracts for papers, panels, posters, and videos for the 13th Biennial Conference of the International Association for the Study of the Commons (IASC) has been extended to April 15, 2010. The conference will be held in Hyderabad, India from January 10th to 14th, 2011 on the theme of “Sustaining Commons: Sustaining our Future". See the original post for more detail.

NEW BLOG: Gender and Food Policy News (Facilitated by IFPRI)

IFPRI has launched a new blog, Gender and Food Policy News. The blog is a space to share announcements, news items, multimedia, research tools, resources and links to publications on the topic of gender and food policy. While the blog is primarily maintained by IFPRI, anyone who is interested is encouraged to contribute. Please give it a look.

An Interview with Elinor Ostrom

Recent Nobel Laureate, pioneer of research on common property, and CAPRi Steering Committee member Elinor Ostrom recently gave an interview to Fran Korten for YES! Magazine. A sample:

Fran: Many people associate “the commons” with Garrett Hardin’s famous essay, “The Tragedy of the Commons.” He says that if, for example, you have a pasture that everyone in a village has access to, then each person will put as many cows on that land as he can to maximize his own benefit, and pretty soon the pasture will be overgrazed and become worthless. What’s the difference between your perspective and Hardin’s?

Elinor: Well, I don’t see the human as hopeless. There’s a general tendency to presume people just act for short-term profit. But anyone who knows about small-town businesses and how people in a community relate to one another realizes that many of those decisions are not just for profit and that humans do try to organize and solve problems.

If you are in a fishery or have a pasture and you know your family’s long-term benefit is that you don’t destroy it, and if you can talk with the other people who use that resource, then you may well figure out rules that fit that local setting and organize to enforce them. But if the community doesn’t have a good way of communicating with each other or the costs of self-organization are too high, then they won’t organize, and there will be failures.